Roadwork delays will continue in High Wycombe town centre for another month, with councillors apologising for disruption ahead of the completion of the new route.

The first phase of the £2 million scheme to give traffic an alternative route through the town centre from Oxford Road to Marlow Hill is expected to be finished during November.

However, Buckinghamshire County Council – running the scheme alongside Wycombe District Council – has warned that more congestion could be caused before it is completed.

In order to create a junction with a roundabout to link the rebuilt Oxford Road with the extended Westbourne Street, they plan to close the stretch of Oxford Road between The Pastures and Bellfield Road for four days.

Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said: 'I'm sorry we have to close the road during the day, but this way we avoid any safety risks to drivers, pedestrians and the workforce.'

He added that the daytime closure coincided with schools' half-term holiday, during which the volume of traffic will significantly reduce.

The closure, between 6am on Monday, October 26 until 7pm on Thursday, October 29, coincides with continued night closures of Oxford Road.

During the daytime, traffic will be re-routed along the same roads as the overnight diversions that have operated successfully for the past five months.

Alterations will also be made to the traffic signals at the junctions of The Pastures and Bellfield Road during the temporary closure.

Cllr Shaw said: “I fully appreciate this won't be an easy time for drivers, and I apologise in advance for the inconvenience.

“I believe the short term pain will bring long term gain in making it easier to get into and out of the town centre.”

WDC cabinet member for planning and sustainability, Cllr David Johncock, said: “I’m excited about this project because this is about far more than improving the town’s roads – it’s about improving the heart of the town.

“When it’s fully completed, the alternative route will help to open up the town centre, reconnect all parts of the historic heart and create better spaces for people to enjoy themselves.

“The scheme uses an innovative street design that will ensure that traffic can flow in a steady way and safely share a common space with pedestrians.”

Phase 2 of the alternative route, from the Southern end of the new Westbourne Street Link, along Desborough Road through the old gas works to Marlow Hill roundabout, is anticipated to start by March 2016.